DEARBORN, Mich., March 2, 2007 -The Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME)
Interoperability and 3D Collaboration event will take place at the Marriott
Renaissance in Detroit on May 2-3, 2007.



Collaboration with CAD and other 3D data is one of the most important elements of
modern manufacturing practice. However, problems in CAD interoperability and
collaboration plague the industry, presenting one of the most formidable impediments
to productivity and time to market. To remain competitive and grow, manufacturers
must continually and aggressively improve products and processes to enable effective
communication and collaboration, on a global basis.



This two day, international conference provides a unique opportunity for design,
engineering, and manufacturing professionals to interact, learn and share
experiences in interoperability and collaboration with 3D data. Attendees will learn
about the latest strategies, best practices and solutions, while interacting
directly with fellow users and leading experts in the field. The conference also
provides an opportunity to learn about the latest data exchange software tools.



The Interoperability and 3D Collaboration schedule:



Wednesday, May 2

8:00 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.



Why Interoperability Isn't: Finding Clarity in the Chaos

Various aspects of effective 3D collaboration and interoperability will be presented
while providing insights on the most significant trends and latest happenings in the
industry, including:

* Complexities of sharing 3D data and what's happening to make it easier
* Airbus situation: causes, affects and what we can learn from it
* Partnership between Autodesk and PTC to work on interoperability issues and the

participation of other CAD vendors

* What does the future hold for Acrobat 3D, DWF JT, 3D XML, and other "light-weight"
3D formats? How will they work with the CAD formats, or not?
* Latest advances in feature translation and discovery
* New version of STEP and its expected impact on the industry
* Role the open source movement will play in future interoperability and
collaboration solutions

David Prawel, Longview Advisors



Electronic Delivery System For Supplier Build Packages

A custom system for electronic delivery of build packages to suppliers including
drawings and 3D CAD models to support procurement will be described. Internal users
access the application which is integrated to CAD, configuration control and
business data systems and "push" configured build packages to an Extranet server to
support machined parts and PWB board assembly fabrication. Suppliers can also access
the system externally and "pull" packages. The automated pull method has freed
procurement agents from the task of gathering and sending packages, resulting in
cost and cycle time reductions which will be discussed.
Robb McCord, Northrop Grumman



Strategies & Tradeoffs in Deploying Lightweight 3D

The challenges, considerations and process of selecting and developing standard 3D
model file formats to work between ICEM, Rhino and Alias rendering software will be
discussed. Use of computational fluid dynamics analysis, finite element analysis,
Pro/Engineer design, rapid prototyping, lightweight 3D viewers, animation, paper and
web-publishing will be presented based on an on-going case study.
Rick Mihelic, PACCAR



CAD Interoperability Software Vendor Panel

Interoperability problems continue to cost industry many billions of dollars.
Challenges caused by incompatible CAD modelers, data formats and processes are the
root cause. When it comes to solving these problems, the heavy lifting is left to
the dedicated software and services vendors who specialize in addressing these
difficult challenges. New approaches are brought to market on a regular basis and
success stories are plentiful. But a lot of tough challenges remain. This panel will
bring together leaders in the CAD interoperability software business to answer your
questions and discuss their solutions.



11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch on the Show Floor



1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.

CAD to CAD Interoperability

Legacy Data Requirements and Strategy for MBD Datasets Archiving

The regulatory requirements published by the FAA, DOD and NASA for the long term
retention of product data will be discussed. The difference in data representation
for drawings verses MBD 3D datasets will be described with an emphasis on MBD
descriptions and the requirements for storing these types of datasets. Additionally,
acceptable open data formats suitable for long term retention of MBD data will be
presented.
Terrence McGowan, Boeing



STEP Overview & Update: A Second Generation Emerges

STEP (ISO 10303) is the most important international industry standard for CAD data
interoperability, and perhaps the only viable long-term, strategic solution to
sharing and archiving CAD data. An overview of the current state of the core STEP
application protocols (APs) for the aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding
industries, including the latest enhancements to the second edition of AP203,
Configuration Controlled 3D Designs of Mechanical Parts and Assemblies will be
presented. Short case studies of recent successful use in design, analysis, and
manufacturing, will be shared.

Jack Harris, PDES



Comparing and Validating Product Lifecycle Models

The ability to compare revised, remastered or translated 3D models within the
product's lifecycle provides key advantages to the design, simulation and
manufacturing processes. Potential solutions will be discussed including legacy
design migration validation, design concept comparison, design reuse for simulation
qualification, simulation model comparison, design revision comparison, design reuse
for tooling quality, downstream model divergence, design translation validation, and
certified delivery of long term archival validation with STEP.
Steve Utterdyke, ITI TranscenData



Collaborating with Lightweight 3DAccelerates Client Approvals by Upgrading Your
Design Review Processes

How Advanced Dynamics has improved its design review and communication processes
from very slow paper and courier to electronic email and web collaboration will be
presented. Alternatives considered and the pros & cons of different approaches,
lessons learned, technologies implemented, and current best practices will be
discussed. This will include tracking of all engineering requests and improvements
on other areas such as shop communication and assembly instructions.
Patrik Chartrand, Advanced Dynamics



Hurdling the Obstacles of 3D Design Collaboration

Some of the most difficult limitations to overcome in design and manufacturing are
sharing large assemblies and PMI-GD&T information, and securing access to your
proprietary design assets. Advantages and disadvantages of some common solutions,
along with the importance of leveraging standards in any good overall solution will
be presented. How users can dynamically secure and control PDF files containing
sensitive information will be discussed. Case studies from real-world users will
frame an interactive dialog about user experiences, lessons learned and best
practices.
Jim Merry, Adobe Systems



Examining Characteristics of 3D XML and CGR Files to Support Collaboration

A project conducted with a large aerospace firm which examined the conversion,
loading, transportation of vendor-supported "standard" file formats across and
network, and interaction with 3D XML files as compared to CGR files within CATIA
will be presented. Project activities, issues encountered, and recommendations will
be discussed.
Nathan Hartman, Purdue University



4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Networking Reception

Renaissance Room



8:00 a.m. - 8:45 a.m.

Panel: Multi-CAD Interoperability & Collaboration - Ask the Vendors

Moderator: David Prawel, Longview Advisors
Big changes may be coming. Autodesk and Parametric Technology (PTC) recently
announced they are partnering to tackle the issues of interoperability between their
products and file formats. This panel brings together the market leading CAD vendors
to discuss their interoperability strategies and solutions. Each vendor will briefly
present their strategy and solutions, followed by moderated questions and answers.
This panel is sure to yield some exciting audience interaction.

Panelists

Andrew Anagnost, Autodesk

Asa Trainer, PTC

Aaron Kelly, Solidworks

Dassault Systemes



9:00 a.m. -11:45 a.m.

Product Lifecycle Interoperability

Three Key Ingredients For Cross-PDM Interoperability

Business Process Management (BPM), Service Oriented Architecture (SOA), and PDM/PLM
information standards are now at a point where cross PDM interoperability is a
viable option. How these can come together in a symbiotic way to foster
heterogeneous PDM interoperability solutions will be presented. Concept definition,
how they connect together from a logical systems architecture perspective, benefits,
and risks associated with implementing Cross-PDM Interoperability will be discussed.
Fredrick Bsharah, Ford Motor Company



Simple, Automated and Controlled Engineering Data Exchange for Buyers

To automate CAD, data processing and communication to and from suppliers, Bentley
Motors and Red Bull Racing have deployed new translation software. This case study
will reference the situation prior to deployment, the target, and current "as is"
situation post deployment. ROI calculations and benefits achieved by Bentley, Red
Bull Racing and their suppliers will be discussed.
Martyn Davies, Autoweb



An Appeal for Non-Proprietary Interface Standards for Design to Process Planning

Widely implemented non-proprietary interface standards (NPIS) could eliminate
incompatibilities between CAD and manufacturing process planning (PP). Efforts
required from users and suppliers for successful NPIS will be discussed including a
report on progress defining NPIS for CAD to PP for inspection process and planning
as well as several organizations working on them.
John Horst, NIST



Collaboration Management

Geometry is Easier to Comprehend than Language

CAD geometry data is neither as nuanced nor ambiguous as human language since it is
a mathematical expression to begin with. By way of comparison, current artificial
intelligence algorithms interpret human language at about 40% of human
effectiveness. This presentation discusses the feasibility of applying AI techniques
to "smartify" dumb geometry.
Steven Thomas, Boeing



Realizing Cost Savings with STEP-Based Data Exchange for the Humvee

Results from a pilot project conducted by the US Army to validate and demonstrate
the use of STEP standards for PDM interoperability will be presented. Conducted on
the Army's Humvee vehicle with AM General Corporation, the pilot showed that product
structures, metadata and associated content files such as Unigraphics 3D models can
be exchanged between Teamcenter Engineering and Windchill PDMLink. The problem
statement, solution requirements, implementation approach, results and conclusions
as well as potential cost savings will be discussed.
Raj Iyer, US Army Tank Automotive R&D Center



Solving the IP Paradox: How to Enable Global Business without Jeopardizing IP

As the circles of product design partners widen, global business requires more
frequent, more detailed communication about products. Protecting the design know-how
and securing the competitive edge is one of the top business directives. Therefore,
there is a growing need to build a process for managing, controlling and revealing
enough product intelligence that allows streamline design and manufacturing process,
while making sure IP is not jeopardized. Defining the strategy and technological
solution to achieve the fine balance will be discussed.
Alex Shapira, Proficiency



11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Lunch on the Show Floor



1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Panel: Light-Weight 3D Formats - Ask The Vendors

Moderator: David Prawel, Longview Advisors
The new generation of light-weight 3D file formats is upon us - Acrobat 3D, DWF, JT,
3D XML, XVL - and they're poised to add real value in supply chain and downstream
interoperability and collaboration. This panel is a rare opportunity to participate
in an interactive discussion with the vendors of these important formats. The
moderator will ask a few initial questions, and then the panelists will take
questions from the audience. This is your chance to ask the tough questions, and
take major steps in working out your interoperability and collaboration strategies.

Panelists

Jim Merry, Adobe Systems

Bill Barnes, Lattice Technologies

Jonathan Knowles, Autodesk

Aaron Kelly, Solidworks

Dassault Systemes

UGS



Sponsors of Interoperability and 3D Collaboration include Trans Magic, Kubotek, DS
Spatial, Prostep, Datakit, Elysium, ConnectPress Ltd., The CAD Society and PDES Inc.
For further information on Interoperability and 3D Collaboration, including travel
and lodging and online registration, visit www.sme.org/interop/
< http://www.sme.org/scanning/> .



About SME:

The Society of Manufacturing Engineers is the world's leading professional society
supporting manufacturing education. Through its member programs, publications,
expositions and professional development resources, SME promotes an increased
awareness of manufacturing engineering and helps keep manufacturing professionals up
to date on leading trends and technologies. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, SME
influences more than half a million manufacturing practitioners and executives
annually. The Society, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2007, has members in
more than 70 countries and is supported by a network of hundreds of technical
communities and chapters worldwide, including nine chapters in Canada. To learn
more about SME, please visit our web site at www.sme.org < http://www.sme.org/> .